The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, has urged Nigerian youths to change negative narratives about the country and become ambassadors of hope by consistently speaking positively about Nigeria.
Dr. Neliaku made the call on Friday during a webinar organized by the Youth and Students Work Team ahead of the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum (WPRF). He described Nigeria as “the best country on earth,” endowed with unique features that enable individuals to achieve their dreams.
“The narrative that our nation is not good enough is being spread by those who have programmed the nation to keep falling without failing,” Neliaku said. “Unfortunately for them, the most populous African nation keeps waxing stronger by the day.”
He urged the youths to see the country through the lens of possibility and optimism, stressing that their perception of Nigeria would ultimately shape their personal and collective destinies.
“Your future is bright in this country. It is the way you package yourself that the destiny of this nation will smile at you,” he advised. “If you acknowledge that this nation is great, it will be great for you. If you condemn this nation as one of the worst on earth, that is how it will turn out for you. Do not join others to paint our nation black.”
While acknowledging existing challenges, the NIPR President expressed confidence that Nigeria, like other nations, will surmount its obstacles through the collective efforts of its citizens.
He further charged the youths to leverage social media as a platform to project Nigeria’s positive stories to the global audience, emphasizing that the 2026 WPRF scheduled to hold in November next year will provide another opportunity for Nigeria to tell its own story to the world.
Delivering a goodwill message at the event, the Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, disclosed that youth-focused programmes were being designed to meet the aspirations of students and young professionals at the Forum.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Planning Committee for the WPRF, Dr. Suleiman Haruna, encouraged young Nigerians to serve as reputation champions for the country, assuring that all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure their full participation in the global event.
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